I do absolutely NOT own Transformers: Beast Wars

Chapter 14: Feral Scream

"Cassandra?"

I woke up with a pounding headache. I groaned to find the source that ended my peaceful slumber was right in the doorway, and I would have snorted at how silly he looked crouching if I wasn't so grouchy "You're still here? Shouldn't you be out hunting your 'nemesis'?" my tone unintentionally being too harsh as Depth Charge winced in response.

"I wanted to see if you were okay before I went out"

"What do you mean by 'okay'…?" I picked up my digital clock, which read 6 o'clock "and I thought you left once the sun rose?"

I was given the biggest 'grin' "you may want to take a closer look at your clock DollFace"

What- I squinted, then frowned "it's six…p.m.? So this would be your…" …your second round…

"Rhinox and the others are worried about you, so once you get up you may want to check with them" he turned to leave.

"Wait" but stopped abruptly as I swung myself from my bed –which proved to be a bad idea as I fell flat on my face. I groaned miserably and stood right back up to see him smirking. The smirk dissipating as soon as shot him a frown "May I come with you?" so I made up for it by asking nicely. I wanted to go outside anyway.

"Sure, but like I said before; you may want to check in with Rhinox" he crouched and offered a palm so I could climb on. I did so, but almost fell off him in the process. And even if he didn't make a peep, I was very much aware of that one corner of his 'mouth' twitched upward.

Checking in with Rhinox was rather quick despite the rhino's evident concern –coming in the form of him insisting to run more tests on me. It warmed my heart to know Rhinox still cared for my well-being even if our interactions were thinning; of course under that robust build I was very aware of the big heart. And the same went with the grouchy ex-Marshal as he carried me on his shoulder as we both set out for one of his evening trips.

"You're too quiet you know that?" a trip that seemed to be doused with silence, and something I would have considered surreal if DC's annoyed gruff voice hadn't snapped me back to reality. We were currently above rocky ridges, because a lovely tropical forest would have been too overrated.

"Mmmhm" I mumbled, my face never left the smooth aqua (or was it turquoise?) metal. There was a sigh.

"You still think I'm a complete jerk don't you?"

"Mmm…care to argue that?"

"I'm doing Primal and the others a favor by hunting that monster you know"

I picked my head up "which one?"

"Nevermind"

I groaned and rubbed my temples, but didn't complain. I took what I could get, especially when DC had a head and spark casing as strong as the toughest alloy. We resumed the rest of the ride in silence, up until the manta caught something on his specially-tuned radar and muttered an 'ah ha'. Holding on for dear life, which sobered me from my drowsy state, I braced myself as DC swooped down and transformed. Shouts, gunfire, and a single loud explosion could be heard a distance away, which had both of us on full alert as DC cautiously prowled around boulders and rocky spires with both guns drawn. As we rounded one particular corner, we saw somebody rummaging through a pile of rubble. "Hey it's Che-" I gasped as Depth Charge ejected one of his golden plasma discs right in the direction of the cat, the poor kid had to throw himself just in time to avoid getting blasted. Agitated, I delivered a mean slap right upside the Transmetal mantas' helm, which he returned with a growl.

"The Pit woman-?!"

"Oh, you know why you water-logged jerk!" I clambered off of him, and then double-timed it toward Cheetor. I thoroughly searched and prodded the cats' form, earning a light chuckle for my antics.

"St-stop that tickles! hehehaha –ow!"

Found it! I got ready to perform any needed repairs, but paused when I saw it was only a dent.

"I-I'm okay C-Cass-!" green optics immediately narrowed as Cheetor then set them on the large figure of DC as he had finally decided to step out of the shadows "Hey! You mind taking it easy with the power pizzas!"

"Looked like you were having trouble" the manta ray lumbered over toward an unearthed Optimus.

"You could have helped him without almost blowing him to smithereens" I suggested pointedly, but only got a glance. I rolled my eyes then walked over toward Optimus to attempt repairs, but got waved off.

"Thank you-" oh thank goodness he's thanking me for my attempted effort I was about to throw a tantrum "-but I'll settle with a CR chamber, you three need to stop Megatron and Waspinator-"

"And Rampage?"

I bit my tongue, remembering the crab was the sole reason for the opportunity for that day's mission, as opposed to sitting in the command center with Rhinox bombarding me with questions.

"Uuuhhh no…we'd remember him"

"Then what was that blip you detected…" I knew, but had to stay quiet for things to run their course, even if I didn't like it. The manta shrugged and internally consulted the obnoxious unit, his optics briefly displayed a radar as he did so.

"It's got to be him, my scanners are tuned to his spark" he kneeled and offered his palm for me to get on. Awww so he's actually having me be a part of this, I -without the slightest suspicion of what he was going to do next- climbed aboard, my foot 'slipped'. In an effort to prevent me from falling, Depth Charge's other hand flew up to support me from behind, and one of his fingers roughly contacted my head as he did so, that sly son-of-a- but I didn't call him out, instead, I just smirked and sat down on his shoulder I'll get him later. As he levitated, his scanners notified him again of Rampage's spark signature "His reading is this way" and so off we went. Optimus shouted for us (specifically DC) to not engage, an undoubtedly futile effort as the manta flew toward a single, sinister -and large- peak.

Creepy… we stayed in the shadows as Megatron performed his twisted experiment involving a protoform, if Rampage were here he wouldn't let this happen… a small voice in the back of my head whispered to me, and I ignored it. I peered to see Megatron holding a box-like contraption, which held something pulsing and bright, I scowled as I watched the megalomaniacal tyrant feed half of Rampages' spark to the silver-liquid body. I nudged Depth Charge and whispered "that's what triggered your scanners…" pointing at the protoform "that was half of Rampages' spark"

"Seriously?!" ruby optics scrutinized the life-to-be as Waspinator installed THE alien gizmo into an electromagnetic holding field and then awaited further orders. Both of us watched in horror as a long metal rod extended into the sky and harnessed the raw power of the lightning. I'm not so sure about DC but I know I'm getting a Frankenstein vibe outta this after listening to Megatron roar some mumbo-jumbo loud enough for everybody in the Matrix to hear him; we then had to cover our eyes as a bright flash dominated our vision. Ducking back behind cover -and staying that way for a few good moments- we both then risked a peek. My jaw dropped at the sight of a Transmetal raptor as it clicked its' talons and snapped its' jaws at the air, enter Dinobot II, man the original gonna be ticked…

"Hey" DC tapped me with one of his blasters, "let's get going" but I waited till Waspinator cowered behind Megatron to actually step out of my cover. I was too busy listening to some interesting exchange of words before-hand.

"-not like new lizard-bot!"

"I agree" DC sneered "…but then; I'm not crazy about any of you!" both of us aimed our weapons. Megatron snapped his scowl at me.

"Ahhh we have guests. A sterling opportunity for you to-" he harrumphed "-test your metal Dinobot-"

I laughed boisterously "Really?! You made a clone-?" I elbowed Depth Charge "someone's obsessed-"

"Silence you wench! Dinobot-ERRAAGH!" Megatron flew backwards as a couple of rounds knocked into him. I looked up to see a smug manta, both of his 'remoras' smoked at the tips.

"And just when I was wondering who to shoot first"

There was a loud animalistic roar; none of us ready as a white flash leapt onto Depth Charge and proceeded to rapidly slice at him with his talons, the repeated movements easily kept the raptor from falling back onto firm ground. I gaped as DC collapsed, parts of his face and chest ripped up as he cradled whatever wounds he could, the injured manta immediately lost the focus of Megs' creation…as it then strode toward me. Whelp, this is what I get for making fun of the new guy-

"Cassie! Run!"

Aww he used my nickname –oh wait! I backpedaled swiftly, both afraid of the new Dinobot that I wanted to run, but didn't quite want to turn my back on him. And as consequence for NOT listening to my flee instincts I found my back pressed against the ground and my belly pressed by a large Transmetal raptor foot. A large talon clicked dangerously next to my head as Dinobot v.2 snarled and turned his head to study me with a single deep-red optic with what appeared to be…recognition. Why hello! I'm your half-brothers' friend! I gave a short, nervous (half-assed) laugh "So you're not really going to tear me to itty bitty pieces are you?", but suppressed a squeak as both his optics glinted with malicious intent. The claw next to me clicked twice with the anticipation of a kill.

"It would be in Lord Megatrons' best interest"

Uh oh, I wriggled helplessly.

"You are correct Dinobot, yessss" Megatrons' toothy grin stood out in contrast to the overcast skies "I have long since made up my mind about your worth…", the tyrant sauntered over and kneeled beside me "that being your troublesome nature exceeds it. Dinobot you may begin the feast-"

"Hey-!" Cheetor suddenly popped over the ridge "let me add some hot Cheetor pepper to spice things up!" and began firing, incapacitating Waspinator and -after a few good shots- Megatron. The Transmetal cheetah then jumped down and fired at Dinobots' clone, and drew the raptors' heavy weight off of me, and right onto him. The raptor did the same 'single-optic' examination on the kid as he did to me, and while he was distracted, Depth Charge grabbed me and ran to the nearest cover. Cheetor joined us in mere moments.

"Is…is that Dinobot?"

"Dinobot's back at base Cheetor…"

"Yeah but-"

DC hushed us, and spoke with a whisper "he's a clone…transmetallized with that alien unit"

"…that I lost to Rampage…" (as the story once I got back to base went) I rubbed my temples "any suggestions on how to get it back?"

Both bots shrugged and peeked over our cover, only to duck back down as something violently destroyed a good chunk of the boulder shielding us. Get DOWN you idiots! I rolled my eyes as both the boys continued to watch the raptor (whom was in robot form) as he perused the area with his optical laser. And of course, he eventually found us -or rather DC and Cheetor- an electrical droning noise my only warning before DC grabbed me (again) and dove to the far right. As I managed to get on my two feet, I saw a certain kitty pilot a hover unit, ram him kiddo-

"Weeeeheeehee!" and plowed right into Transmetal-II Dinobot, and with a few aerial stunts, nabbed the Transmetal driver. I gave him thumbs up as he pulled his arm back.

"Depth Charge go deep!"

As I watched the manta perform a catch a professional football player would be proud of, something purple/brown stirred at the corner of my eye, oh shit- "Cheetor look out!" my warning came in a little too late as good ol' Megsy scored a direct hit and sent Cheetor straight into the field. The cat spun uncontrollably due to the electromagnetic currents influence…trapped with no chance of escaping. In that moment, I was absolutely close to crying like a little girl.

"Cheetor!" even though it was for the plot's sake, my throat still felt constricted as Depth Charge gently picked me up and ran as far from the dangerous hum of the freakish machine as he could. He didn't get very far as a concussive explosion sent us flying across the barren peaks, the landing knocked the wind out of me and did a significant number on my aqua-bat friend. I whimpered in pain and curled under DC's protective hand as large chunks of earth rained on us, a metallic clang caught my attention. I eased out of the manta's grip, then walked over to a piece of plating…Cheetor's chest plating. "…Cheetor…" I whispered and shuffled back into Depth Charges' outstretched arms "I'm sorry"

We were just barely able to fly back to base with the manta's condition. He transformed slowly so I could step onto his palm, and the ex-Marshal landed as softly as he could manage. I hugged Cheetors' half-torso plate as Optimus walked out to address his main concern.

"Where's Cheetor?"

I reluctantly tossed him the piece.

"Cat was tough…he went out fighting" Depth Charge limped past our leader. And continued our awkward silence even once we stepped into the command center, he set me down and casted an apologetic look as he wandered off elsewhere with the Transmetal unit. I sighed and sat lazily in front of the computer, and waited.

I waited for hours in complete boredom, not wanting to hunt down any of the other Beasties for something to do; my mind was too set on giving Megatron a piece of my mind, same went with Dinobot-II too. I smiled when I saw DC step into the room with his gun drawn and his ruby optics narrowed with determination, his fully-healed form a far-cry from what he looked like earlier…that being complete slag "Looking pretty good for a dead guy".

The manta smirked, that smirk quickly disappeared as his tracking unit notified him that 'Rampage' was nearby, for the tenth time. And so before he could stomp off, I stepped in front of him and stretched out my arms "What am I, chopped liver?".

Hmmm I have some regrets it was misty and cold. And dark -but I already knew that- because of the lateness of the hour and the storm. And yet, I felt energized, because you slept till 6 p.m. you lazy thing you, Trailblazer was probably worried sick I breathed in the mist, the dampness strangely refreshing. "Keep your eyes peeled"

I gave a cheeky grin "That's sounds rather painful"

"…"

"Let me guess…'and your mouth shut'?" I used air quotations.

"Precisely"

We both jumped as something stirred behind us. It was nothing, or what I thought was nothing as a large white figure ambushed both of us and delivered a mean whack upside the mantas' head which rendered him unconscious. I managed to play hide-n-seek and got a few good shots in but…yeah I got captured too, well at least he brought binds…didn't he want to kill me? I kept my mouth shut for the duration of the long and painfully slow voyage back to (ding ding) the mountain range.

It was humiliating, being bound against a tree –er Depth Charge. The raptor tied up the ray's unconscious form before he smugly restricted me against Depth Charge's waist…and to make things more awkward? Megatron and two others watched. Rampage grumbled while Quickstrike watched and chuckled like some pervert. Things also started to hurt when DC woke up and started wiggling around, I then had to (kindly) remind him of my discomfort every time he did move, didn't help that he was a stubborn mackerel either.

"The alien Transmetal driver…now"

"Don't have it" DC shrugged.

There was a snarl "Too bad for you!" as Dinobot's clone shifted into bipedal mode and waltzed over to me and placed a sharp digit under my chin. "How about you?" he cooed.

EEEEYUCK! "I don't have it either, but I do know where it is…" I suppressed the urge to smirk.

"Oh…?" he leaned in closer.

I 'solemnly' down-casted my eyes (DC tensed up) "I-It's…it's…up your ass-" I snapped them back up, my grin reaching to an almost demonic proportion "-and around the corner!"

Everyone who wasn't Megatron or Dinobot either laughed out loud or tried to suppress one. The only two getting hurt were myself and Rampage; I got back-handed whereas Rampage suddenly convulsed because of you-know-who. My eyes shot over to Dinobot-II in time to see him pull his spark chamber back into his chest.

"Thank you Dinobot" Megatron advanced toward us, wagging his tail-cannon threateningly as he scowled at DC "The other equipment has been salvaged, but you took the alien Transmetal unit. Where is it?!" Megatron growled.

"I already said-" I got back-handed again.

"It's gone, ain't that a kick in the lugnuts" DC sneered and then chuckled –a contagious noise that had me and Quickstrike chuckle too.

"Snotty lil' flounder ain't 'e? lemme gut 'em for ya boss-"

"No, he's mine! I shall feast on his still pulsating spark-!" Rampage's mandibles contorted as he made some disgustingly unpleasant sounds "MINE-!"

A large feline yowled close-by, and made us all jump. I tried to follow everyone's focus as a slim feline-shaped shadow dipped in and out of the darkness, its red optics (red optics seemed to be very popular) seemingly probed into our very souls as it studied us. Low growls got closer and closer, another yowl being the Predacon's only warning before a shadowy creature knocked them all on their backs and/or faces, Dinobot-II being the only one on his two feet.

"Wha-what is that thing?" Megatron held a hand over his sliced chest.

"I don't know boss, some kinda ghost maybe? Or it will be after I'm done with it! Yeeehahahahaw-!" Quickstrike flexed his snake arm "Here comes Poison!". For once, me and Megatron (silently) agreed on something as we shook our heads in unison at the fuzor's idiocy. Once he hopped over a cluster of boulders, the sound of a skirmish rang out, which proved to be an easy win -for the cat specifically- as Quickstrikes' cobra limb was sent flying over. It landed before us as one of it's fangs broke off. I cackled.

"That's my pet Whiskers isn't he cute-"

"Shut up" Megatron grumbled and stood, forming a tight group with the other two as they scanned their dark surroundings for their unknown assailant. Rampage and Dinobot quickly locked onto the cat with the aid of their flashlight/optical laser.

"Fire! Fire!"

Like they need to be told that… I smirked as I watched Rampage bombard the cat with heavy rounds. The creature not at all deterred by the heavy firepower as it rushed him and Dinobot-II with determined optics. Or more like: it rushed in between them. Both crab and raptor -without the slightest idea of what was going to transpire- blasted each other away as the Transmetal-II raptor finally got a lock, but on the wrong target when the cat decided to run-down Megs, "No! You fools!" and thus left the tyrant all by his lonesome. Well, almost, there was a buzzing that came from the woods –which was revealed to be Waspinator, though Megatron shot him anyway. There were more yowls, and DC tensed up as they suddenly ceased…and we saw why as a shadow approached Megatron at break-neck speed. Upon collision it caused the tyrant to do a funny little spin on his tail-cannon as if he were the Tasmanian Devil, ultimately sending him over the cliff. And thus the silence came, the only thing constituting as noise being DCs' venting. I almost forgot how scary Cheetor was in this –damn you cyber-puberty, I tensed at every shadow as they all seemed to move…then came the growl. That growl got louder as the feline decided to step out its' cover, the light from the energy binds easily illuminated the feral figure as he paused some feet away from us. He yowled.

Blink.

Blink. Oh sh-! And he yowled again as he lunged at DC and firmly pressed his paws against the manta's chest as he sniffed both of us.

"Depth Charge!"

Feral Cheetor immediately pushed himself off as Optimus closed in and bounded up on top of a good-sized boulder. Once the ape set us free, we all stared in awe at the feline as he stared back and then leaped off into the darkness once he got disinterested.

"What was that thing?"

Despite his injuries, DC could still fly to the base. But I needed to ride with Optimus as a safety precaution. Once there, Rhinox patched up my face which sported a few cuts from when Dinobot's clone backhanded me –which had earned an angry rant from the original once I had said who had done so. After that I walked with Rhinox (because I was still too awake to go to sleep) and told him about that day's events as he personally informed our other teammates of the feline. Our final destination being outside as we joined Optimus. Our fearless leader looked to be in deep thought. I could understand why.

"I've gotten through with the others. They've been warned about the creature…whatever it is"

"…or who…" Primal mumbled. You have the right idea…

"What?" which was unheard by Rhinox.

"Nothing…" there was a hum "Silverbolt and Blackarachnia are combing sector Taorhees. You join Rattrap in-"

I held my ears prior to the alarms blaring to life. The sentry guns and lights immediately locked onto the Transmetal form of-

"Cheetor!" and so I ran to the aid of my 'little brother' as he collapsed onto the mud. Optimus and Rhinox followed shortly behind me as I kneeled to check for any damage.

Uuuugggghhh still not tired, I laid sprawled on my bed for a few more minutes, and finally summoned the willpower to get up and check on my spotted Transmetal buddy. On my way there, I'd wave/flip off any security camera I saw –because I knew that Rattrap was on base monitor duty. I didn't pass anybody, the lack of staff didn't bother me because I knew the whereabouts of the majority of them…creepy, I know. Typing in the pass-code (because I also knew a majority of the pass-codes) I peeked into Cheetor's room to see Freckles as he tossed and turned. He sported multiple injuries, but was otherwise fine. Sighing, I closed the door and made my way to the command center, eager for something to do, I'm sure if I ask nicely enough, Optimus will allow me to go for a nice walk –oomf! I rubbed my nose as I bumped into someone big and red.

"How's Freckles?"

"Tossing and turning, in pain since his stubborn ass refused to use a CR chamber"

Trailblazer sniggered "Kid's tough, glad he pulled through" and pat my shoulder as he resumed walking "I'm going to bed, got a huge headache"

"Don't we all?"

"Yeah…had a nice, long productive day of hard work –and Dinobot's incessant nagging" he stopped and looked over his shoulder "Say, why are you not in bed? It's midnight…-"

"Don't play stupid, you know I woke up at six p.m."

"Yeah that's right-!" Trailblazer chuckled as he disappeared around a corner "Sleeping Beauty!"

With a nose twitch and swift flipping of the bird, I continued on towards the command center, what an ass.

Convincing Optimus and Rhinox and Dinobot that I'd be safe and cautious on my midnight stroll was easy enough. The big ape strongly insisted that I had to bring a partner, however, after I told him I wouldn't go far (just halfway around the base of Mount St. Hilary), he eventually let me go –with a small frown on his face.

I smiled as I breathed in fresh, misty warm air. I hummed as I sat on a large rock; the Beast Wars are almost over… my eyelids drooped, not out of fatigue, but rather relaxation. Just a few or more Beasties to save…I hope I'm ready, I also had long since added most of the other Predacons to my list of 'deaths to prevent'…because in a very odd way, I've grown attached to those characters too. I knew that it hadn't been luck, but planning that I've used to save Dinobot and Transmutate. The deaths of those two characters in the series were what I found to be major deaths/events that time had not dwindled away my memory of. On the other hand, I was not ready for the abduction of Airazor and Tigatron, something I had been guilty of since that day. And then there was balance.

I couldn't save everybody without consequence. And that was scared me the most.

So Dinobot and Transmutate take up the spots of Airazor and Tigatron…but eventually those two will come back down to Earth. Then I have Depth Charge and Rampage, that's going to be a real challenge. And then I have the rest of the Predacons- I heard the distant random pattern of footsteps approach me, indicating that they not only belonged to multiple legs –but multiple legs belonging to a single being. I grinned like a cat and found a suitable hiding place within the time it took Crabby to reach my position. Time to blow some steam, my head was beginning to feel like a tea kettle, I waited until Rampage stopped and transformed, the crab scanning the area for any sign of movement. Ah yes, how I delighted in such a moment. I quickly and quietly climbed onto the tallest boulder I could, and with caution thrown to the wind, I leaped onto Rampage's back.

I smirked and tapped his head just as he pulled out his rifle "Don't you have a still-pulsating spark to feast on?"

"Oh haha" he sheathed the weapon back into his subspace "Any other day and I'd love to exchange witty retorts with you –however, I need your help and I don't want to waste time"

"My help?"

"I'll explain on the way" he casually tossed me into the air mid-transformation. I grunted on impact, okay, I deserved that.

I wriggled my nose as we traversed a fair amount of land, with little words. So, when does he start explaining things…? I knocked on his shell. No response, I figured he was just being an ass. So I went with an alternative, I wonder… I tickled one of his antennae, and that earned an antennae twitch and a grunt, but he continued to ignore me. I hummed and then tickled both his antennae, he was able to suppress his snort "Would you knock that off?!"

I grinned like an idiot and resumed tickling, "I'll stop once you tell me why you need my help"

"Fine" he grumbled. I stopped the tickle-fest "It concerns Transmutate"

Uh oh, "Has Megatron found her?!"

"No…he's been having suspicions"

"So you captured me because of a hunch?"

"The patrol routes have been getting closer to her sanctuary" we both entered a lush forest "I need you to relocate her"

"Why-"

"After I drop you off, I need to report straight back to Megatron"

"Oh"

"I trust you have suitable locations in mind?"

"I'm bound to find a nice cave or two"

Once we reached the hide-out, Transmutate greeted us with a big smile. Wordlessly, I hopped off of Rampage and bounded over to Transmutate to grasp her hand "We're moving" not bothering to sugar-coat anything. The mutated transformer tilted her head in confusion "…moo…oove?". Rampage, in robot mode, walked over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It is alright, this is for your own safety"

"…safe…ty…?"

I gently tugged, wishing to find her a new home before my 'Sleeping Beauty' energy wore off "Our new home will be-" Rampage glanced at me "-nicer than this one" and I glanced back as I led Transmutate deeper into the forest.

It took half the day to find her the appropriate hiding place, and by that I implied that I already knew where I was going, it just took some time to get there. Because I was true to my word, I also made certain that the cave was significantly nicer than the dank-ass hole Rampage picked. Yes, I was a little upset that he sprang something so urgent on me because of a hunch. Yet, I was happy to help Transmutate, glad that she was someplace safe and unknown even to Rampage, somewhere I knew well. That somewhere being a lovely (primary) cave located twenty or so miles away from where the Axalon once was. Found it on one of my more daring patrols where I'd venture off by myself. None of the other Maximals knew about it, and because I hadn't frequented it in recent days, they never asked. It was rather really a shelter I used mid-journey when I helped with supplies, or when there was a storm and/or too many Predacons were around.

I plopped myself onto a smooth slab, hot and exhausted, and drowsily stripped off my boots. I was even too tired to be worried of the inevitable chastising I was going to get from Optimus (and especially Dinobot) for going missing on a supposedly quick stroll. So as I drifted off to sleep -Transmutate cuddled up next to me (because she's just that damn cute)- I removed all worry from my mind.